Army Chief Defends Ouster of Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi

Televised address

Facing unrelenting pressure from Muslim Brotherhood protesters, Egypt's military chief sought to justify his decision to remove Mohmmed Morsi from office, saying Sunday in a televised speech that the Islamist leader had violated his popular mandate and antagonized state institutions.

The comments by Gen. Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi  -- his first since the president's ouster nearly two weeks ago -- came as the designated interim prime minister pushed ahead with talks to form a new Cabinet this week.